marxism 2011 program notes: prospects for the left under a harper majority
These are my notes from the 2011 Marxism conference in Toronto. The series starts here. * * * * This was just weeks after the 2011 election, and is very interesting to think about at the one-year mark of Harper's majority. Given what we know now - Jack Layton's death, the NDP's election of a centrist leader, the continued revelations of Conservative election fraud, the extreme ideology of the Harper government - what would we add to this today? Prospects for the Left under a Harper Majority Panel Discussion, May 28, 2011 Monique Moisan, Quebec Solidaire The election results from Quebec amazed everyone. We knew there was an “orange wave” but no one knew how big it was! Quebec is clearly anti-Harper. We know what Quebec doesn’t want! This was not an anti-Bloc vote, as many think. It was a statement that sovereignty is not an issue for most Quebec voters. The issues are was Layton talked about: public services, health care, pensions. Economic security. The Bloc formed in 1993 ...
Any thoughts on Bush's visit to Canada?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I mentioned this previously, but I live in Ottawa.
I was downtown for the day (I had a doctor's appointment, and figured I'd take they whole day off due to traffic disruptions). I was in the Chapters downtown (like your Barnes & Nobles) when his motorcade went by. It's the longest motorcade I've ever seen. When Bill Clinton came to town he didn't have nearly as much security.
I was downtown all day, but I don't know where the masses of violent protesters were as reported by the media. Apparently I should have been right on top of them, but I only saw people standing around holding signs.
--Kyle
Any thoughts on Bush's visit to Canada?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I mentioned this previously, but I live in Ottawa.
I was downtown for the day (I had a doctor's appointment, and figured I'd take they whole day off due to traffic disruptions). I was in the Chapters downtown (like your Barnes & Nobles) when his motorcade went by. It's the longest motorcade I've ever seen. When Bill Clinton came to town he didn't have nearly as much security.
I was downtown all day, but I don't know where the masses of violent protesters were as reported by the media. Apparently I should have been right on top of them, but I only saw people standing around holding signs.
--Kyle
I'm not sure on the poll. Although something like 80% of Canadians said they'd vote for Kerry over Bush (except in Alberta, which is Texas North). We didn't really like Keryy, but it was definitely the lesser of two evils.
ReplyDeleteOn a humerous note, they served Bush Canadian beef for supper on Canadian softwood tables.
I'm not sure on the poll. Although something like 80% of Canadians said they'd vote for Kerry over Bush (except in Alberta, which is Texas North). We didn't really like Keryy, but it was definitely the lesser of two evils.
ReplyDeleteOn a humerous note, they served Bush Canadian beef for supper on Canadian softwood tables.
Hey, most of us didn't love Kerry either...
ReplyDeleteHey, most of us didn't love Kerry either...
ReplyDeleteI think that's the problem with the two party system. "Don't blaim me, I voted for Kodos!".
ReplyDeleteWe usually have 3 or 4 big parties at a time. While usually only the Liberals or the Conservatives can actually muster enough votes to form a government, there's at least the potential for a third party to win (they do it all the time at the provincial level).
There's even serious talk of going to proportional representation like the rest of the world has.
I think that's the problem with the two party system. "Don't blaim me, I voted for Kodos!".
ReplyDeleteWe usually have 3 or 4 big parties at a time. While usually only the Liberals or the Conservatives can actually muster enough votes to form a government, there's at least the potential for a third party to win (they do it all the time at the provincial level).
There's even serious talk of going to proportional representation like the rest of the world has.
The two-party system sucks, especially when the supposed center of each party is exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Canada go to proportional representation! For a long time I thought it already was, since other parliamentary systems are - then I recently found out otherwise.
One of the most compelling reasons for me to think about citizenship in the future is voting NDP.
The two-party system sucks, especially when the supposed center of each party is exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Canada go to proportional representation! For a long time I thought it already was, since other parliamentary systems are - then I recently found out otherwise.
One of the most compelling reasons for me to think about citizenship in the future is voting NDP.
Every party talks about proportional representation when they're not in power, but if they win a majority they promptly forget about it (since they'd lose a large number of seats).
ReplyDeleteHowever, since the current Liberal government is in the minority, the NDP has made proportional representation a requirement of them voting along side with the Liberals.
Every party talks about proportional representation when they're not in power, but if they win a majority they promptly forget about it (since they'd lose a large number of seats).
ReplyDeleteHowever, since the current Liberal government is in the minority, the NDP has made proportional representation a requirement of them voting along side with the Liberals.
Ah, interesting. I have a lot to learn. I look forward to it.
ReplyDelete